The Higher Education Transition Team Committee released its report last week on the strategies for saving higher education from the years of devastating cuts. Read the article here: http://gov.louisiana.gov/news/transition-committee-on-higher-education-releases-final-report
I want to wish each and every one of you a warm and peaceful holiday season and a new year. 2016 promises to be indeed a new year, as Governor-elect John Bel Edwards takes office after eight long and difficult years for higher education. The UFCT and the LFT will be there to support and serve our new governor--and to voice your interests and concerns in the coming year.
All my best,
Robert Lawyer,
President, United Federation of Local Teachers, 1130
Dear Colleagues:
I thought you might enjoy this video of JBE at the LFT Convention. And it was no surprise that his first public appearance was at our convention, since it was mostly due to organized labor that got him elected.
Though we had a very good day on Saturday, the work to be done to reverse nearly eight years of damage to higher education has just started.
Vice President of UFCT Local 1130 Baton Rouge region Valerie Holliday has been appointed by Governor-elect John Bel Edwards and his team to the Transition Committee for Higher Education. Valerie serves as associate professor of philosophy at Baton Rouge Community College.
"This is a most welcome time of great hope for Louisiana and its higher education system. Governor-elect Edwards cares deeply about higher education; it is my honor to serve him and his team," Valerie said.
Today, Governor Edwards announced that K-12 teachers and school employees will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Monday, February 22nd. As most of you know, LFT members have urged the Governor’s office to grant educators priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine since the State first began assembling its vaccination rollout plan.
COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING
Louisiana school districts are poised to receive nearly 4x more COVID-19 relief funding under the latest federal relief plan. This aid does come with restrictions in how districts may allocate the funds, but it is a much needed and long overdue step towards a reprieve for our educators and students who have been ‘making it work’ for far too long. We are excited about the possibilities this funding presents, but it is vital that teachers
COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING
Louisiana school districts are poised to receive nearly 4x more COVID-19 relief funding under the latest federal relief plan. This aid does come with restrictions in how districts may allocate the funds, but it is a much needed and long overdue step towards a reprieve for our educators and students who have been ‘making it work’ for far too long. We are excited about the possibilities this funding presents, but it is vital that teachers
Patience—counseled by former Vice President Joe Biden all election week as Americans waited for votes to be counted—finally paid off Nov. 7, four days after Election Day, when Biden won in Pennsylvania and gained enough Electoral College votes to acquire a new title: president-elect. AFT President Randi Weingarten says the union’s leaders and members “can’t wait to get started” on the work ahead “with an administration that will embrace and fight for the values we hold dear.”